Still, Liveris has said Dow is focused on controlling what it can control and will continue to operate assuming slow growth in the world.

Dow Chemical currently employs about 50,000 people, including 25,000 in North America and 6,000 in Michigan.

Dow's third quarter earnings came in at 42 cents per share, slightly above analyst estimates of 37 cents per share. Compared to the same quarter in 2011, sales fell 10 percent to $13.6 billion.

During the third quarter earnings conference call on Wednesday, Oct. 24, Liveris said the Midland-based chemical company has announced $2.5 billion in capital spending and growth spending this year to increase cash flow, reduce debt and deliver results to its shareholders.

"We promised we would control the controllable," Liveris said during the call. "Today, Dow is a strong company and we are relentlessly driving our implementation of our long-term strategy."